A few new laws, meanwhile, will provide incentives and more protection for emergency workers.

One will give a 10 percent property tax exemption to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers in counties with 79,000 to 80,000 people ? the law was drafted with Clinton County specifically in mind. To qualify, the person seeking the exemption must have been a member of the organization for at least five years.

Neil Rivenburgh, deputy director of Cayuga County Emergency Services, said there aren't nearly enough volunteer firefighters and other emergency workers because of the struggling economy. The U.S. Census Bureau's 2009 population estimate for Cayuga County was just under 80,000 people.

"It just isn't worth their time," said Rivenburgh, who helps oversee the 29 volunteer fire departments and 13 volunteer ambulance services in the county.

"Whatever the government can do to assist in recruitment and retention, whether it's a tax break or education assistance, is imperative," he said.

JCJ, check with your tax folks, I can't recall if this was first on a county based level and now they have made it across the board. I think it was a small % off property tax or you got $200 back at tax time. Either way it was a small break but a break none the less. Also you can claim your mileage for volunteering. It would cover, any firematic volunteering whether training, meetings, calls, etc.